Calls for new federal laws in wake of Fort Dix plot

Standing just outside the gate of Fort Dix, two federal lawmakers from New Jersey called for tougher laws to prevent potential terrorists from buying guns and from entering U.S. military bases.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said last week's arrests of six suspects in an alleged plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix underscores the need to close what he calls a "terrorist loophole" that allows suspected terrorists to legally purchase guns in the United States.

Lautenberg said that background checks conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms do not include a check of the FBI's terrorism watch list. He called that omission "preposterous." Lautenberg is sponsoring a bill to require would-be gun purchasers be checked against that list.

The Democratic senator was joined by the Republican congressman whose district includes the base. Rep. Jim Saxton (R-3rd Dist.) plans to introduce legislation to require background checks and ID cards for vendors -- including pizza delivery drivers -- who do business on U.S. military bases. One of the suspects arrested last week allegedly suggested Fort Dix as a target because he was familiar with it from his days delivering pizzas on the base.

Three congressmen from neighboring districts -- Republicans Frank LoBiondo and Chris Smith and Democrat Robert Andrews -- already have said they will support Saxton's bill.